Today had been exhausting, to say the least.
It was obvious to all of the adults in the house that there was something heavily weighing on Lisa's mind.
So when Lisa was assigned a school project in which students had to interview their mothers, anyone could see that this was going to be an issue in the Maitland-Deetz household.
Yet again feeling trapped by her mother's perpetual absence, Lisa's gut reaction was to defend Kerry's honour the one way she knew how: by tearing Faye down.
And that's exactly what she did.
Angry tears were shed and a screaming match over the dinner table became inevitable. The word "mother" had been weaponized, brutalized, and made taboo. Hurt and regret was left out on the table along with a half finished meal. The family, feeling raw and vulnerable from the fight, went their separate ways to disperse themselves throughout the house.
This is why it is 2:40 am and a restless Claire Maitland is guiltily making her way to the kitchen to clean up the forgotten dinner.
This is why it is 2:40 am and a heartbroken Faye Deetz is sleeping on the couch in the living room, softly crying into a thin blanket as she is plagued with a nightmare of Lisa's hurtful words ringing in her ears.
Claire doesn't notice the sleeping body at first. She begins to quietly clear cold food off of plates, her mind reeling as she thinks through everything that was said at dinner. It isn't the first whimper or even the second or third that gets her attention.
It is the fourth sound, a strangled sob that has Claire's head snap up and turn toward the couch.
"Hello? Is someone there? H?..." Claire's voice begins to shake in fear at the unknown.
It could be Beetlejuice playing a stupid prank. Or NO, maybe an intruder. OR WORSE, an intruder from the Netherworld coming to drag her and H to hell and condemn them for eternity.
At this, Claire picks up a serving spoon covered in marinara that's beginning to crust over. She holds it with two trembling fists, wielding the plastic like a sword.
"Well, whoever it is, I do have to warn you that I AM a spectral being... I can.. uhhm.. I can throw my voice! And..other very dangerous things! So BACK OFF AND LEAVE MY FAMILY ALONE!"
At this, Claire jumps in front of the couch, spoon at the ready. What she's met with is a passed out Faye, deep in the throws of a nightmare.
"Oh, my! You poor thing..." Claire leans down to affectionately run a hand through Faye's hair before frantically searching around the room for a heavier blanket. When her ears are met with the same cry she heard earlier, she worriedly rushes to the couch and frowns at the woman below her.
Another cry. This one makes Claire drop to her knees.
Now at her side, she places cautious hands on Faye's shoulder and gently shakes the woman in an attempt to wake her.
"Faye, it's me, Claire... I'm right here. It's okay, sweetheart."
When met with nothing but a rogue hand coming at her face and another incoherent mutter, there's only one other thing that Claire could think of.
She leans over the sleeping form to whisper in her ear. "I'm really sorry about this, Faye. I love you..."
She looks down lovingly at the troubled face in front of her and lands a soft kiss on Faye's cheek. She then rolls back the blanket and takes Faye's hand in hers before taking hold of the skin of her arm and giving it a harsh pinch.
Faye's eyes snap open as she lurches up from her position on the couch, pulling Claire along with her, their hands still intertwined. Her eyes shift around the room wildly before landing on Claire's concerned face. Bright blue eyes being the only force tethering her to reality, she takes another second to make sure it's all real before bursting into tears.
"Oh, Faye..."
"There wa-Lisa.. and I just, *sob* oh, god, Lis- *sniffle* -ia..I'm a terrible person—just go...LEAVE!! Like everyone else.."
Not having to say much else, Claire could give a pretty good guess as to what—or who— Faye was dreaming about.
Wanting nothing more than to take her pain away, she urgently closed in on Faye, pulling her shaking form into her arms and getting Faye to rest her head on her shoulder.
"Shhh..I'm right here. I am not leaving you. Ever." She coos smoothly to Faye while rocking her in her arms.
This makes her cry harder as she buries her face in Claire's neck and fists the fabric of her thin undershirt in her hands. Abandonment and belonging had always been Faye's soft spot. Claire knew this.
She wasn't going to lie; this situation is... odd.. to say the least. She had gotten very comfortable with Faye being the healer of the family; the strong one who comforted everyone. She always knew how to bring the energy up in the room and put a hopeful spin on things, no matter how bizarre she went about doing it.
Sure, it took her awhile to get used to Faye's quirks and eccentricities, but what she found beneath the surface was a passionate woman who wanted to help people be their best selves through spirituality. While Delia wasn't very open about her own past, she would subconsciously let little details slip into casual conversation.
Little details that Claire took in and spun a million different ways in an attempt to try and understand the person behind the funky bun and airy voice. And what she found was a lot of horrible people tricking Faye into relationships just to leave or reject her for someone better (but not really though, because Claire thought there was no one better than Faye.)
All of a sudden, Faye recoils from her position in Claire's arms and clears her throat. She starts to laugh hysterically.
"...Faye?" Claire questioned awkwardly, not sure how to react to the sudden outburst.
Faye chuckles darkly. "You know, this is simply ridiculous!! I must still be dreaming because I have no idea why. I. am. CRYING!! Like hellloooo, cuckoo brain?!! Who even am I? Guess the spirits really got me this time. Well, jigs up, Clara, you fell for it!! Alright toodaloo goodbye now!"
Claire's frown deepens at this. It's so obvious to her that Faye's attempting to downplay the entire situation to make herself appear less vulnerable. She would know! She uses it herself all the time!
Claire smirks and puts on her best Clara 2.0 voice. "HAAAA! Nice try, missy! Think you're the only one who's pulled that trick before? We are going to sit here, snuggle, and feel our feelings. DO YOU HEAR ME?"
Giving Faye no time to reply, Claire jumps up and playfully tackles Faye, pinning her to the couch as she lets out a squeal at the attack. Their faces are now mere inches apart, Claire looming over Faye to keep her in place.
"Claire Maitland, you are a strange, magical firefly. I am going to kiss you now." Faye stretches her neck forward in an attempt to place a kiss on the ghost's cool lips.
"Nuh uhh uhhh. No sugar until we work. this. out." Claire purrs, emphasizing the three last words by leaving a trail of brief kisses down Faye's neck.
Not exactly the tactic she was expecting, but hey. If the shoe fits...
